KU School of Allied Health now the School of Health Professions

August 25, 2011

To better reflect the wide-array of health care professionals it educates, the University of Kansas School of Allied Health has changed its name to the University of Kansas School of Health Professions. Recently approved by the Kansas Board of Regents, the new title became official today.

The name change, initiated by a group of students at the University of Kansas Medical Center, reflects a growing trend among similar academic health care institutions to gain greater notice.

"While schools of medicine and nursing enjoy a high level of recognition, the general public is largely unaware of what the term 'allied health' means," said Karen Miller, PhD, Dean of the KU School of Allied Health. "At present, more than half of Kansas's health care workforce is comprised of graduates from schools of allied health and health professions, such as ours. This name change will help the public to better understand the many fields of education available at KU Medical Center."

Established in 1974, the school offers 27 degree programs in nine academic departments:

• Clinical Laboratory Sciences

• Cytotechnology

• Dietetics and Nutrition

• Health Information Management

• Hearing and Speech

• Nurse Anesthesia

• Occupational Therapy

• Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science

• Respiratory Care

Five of those programs - physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology and nurse anesthesia - are ranked in the top 25 of all public programs by U.S. News and World Report.

"We can all be very proud of the many past accomplishments of our students, faculty and alumni," Miller said. "This will be a special time to look forward to a successful future under a new identity with renewed vision for educating tomorrow's leaders in the health professions."